Gordon Murray reveals Niki Lauda T.50s

How could he have revealed it another day? Gordon Murray revealed his “masterpiece” on Niki Lauda's birthday, who would have celebrated his 72nd birthday this Monday.

The world champion would surely have appreciated his nice birthday present. Gordon Murray indeed presented the T.50s Niki Lauda, ​​a supercar with impressive statistics, reserved for the track.

It comes straight from the revolutionary Brabham BT46B “fancar” built by Murray, which Niki Lauda drove to victory at the Swedish Grand Prix in 1978. We notice other nods, such as the hang glider-inspired wing of the Brabham BT52 or the splitter reminiscent of today's LMP1s.

But like its predecessor, the T.50s immediately shines with its giant extractor at the rear of the car, even more impressive on the track version. This, to differentiate itself from the road car, develops much greater support, around 1500 kg.

The new aero goes hand in hand with a significantly reduced weight, 852 kg. The power of the V12 is 715 hp (725 hp or 526 kW). The power-to-weight ratio is 825 horsepower per tonne, at LMP1 level, which will allow the car to “change direction like a F1". The top speed peaks around 330 km/h on a track like Le Mans.

However, if the car is designed for the track, Gordon Murray wants it above all to be “accessible” in his words. “We had no interest in achieving the fastest lap time or creating an overloaded spaceship at the expense of the driver, because ultimately you need to have an F1 driver level of skill and fitness to get anything out of it. the best part.”

Its goal is that a good gentleman driver can push it without problem. “My vision is that owners will take it to a racetrack, check the tire pressure, climb in, light it up and have fun. This is how it should be. In my opinion, this is driving in its purest form,” concludes Gordon Murray.

The T.50s Niki Lauda will be produced in a maximum of 25 examples and each chassis will have a different name, the first being 1974 Nürburgring.